Category: Club Bars & Restaurants

Shark Bar
307 Amsterdam Ave.
(Btwn 73rd and 74th Sts)
NY, NY
(212) 874-8500

By William Mills

On any night NYC’s Shark Bar is crammed with young professionals of color, Hip-Hop entrepreneurs, West Side residents and attractive singles sipping gin and juice

and trying to restore sanity after a day battling “the man.” The restaurant’s dark hues, soft lights, beautiful charcoal etches and black and white photographs culminate in a definition of cool that’s a mix of down home formality and urban sensibility. The restaurant offers a variety of Southern favorites and prompt and friendly service. With ample space, the restaurant section is excellent for people watching, relaxing and dining intimately with one or more friends. Known for its camaraderie, the Shark Bar is an optimal place for getting your “Mack on.” But as with cruising any body of water for a mate, swimming in the singles’ world requires some rules.

1. Never swim alone.

For a guy, it’s OK to be single, but never look lonely. Lonely could be easily mistaken for desperate. Always hit the bar with a good friend, preferably someone who could have fun at a ballpoint pen convention. Also, women have a tendency to be accompanied by friends. Take their lead. If you and your sidekick see two women and you’re attracted to one, the possibility of a conversation involving four eliminates some of the pressure found in a one on one.

2. Dress for the water.

OK this is tricky. Since I don’t have the time or disposable income to buy Dolce & Gabana or Geoffrey Beane, I usually enter the water with jeans, a pressed shirt and nice shoes. I might shave. The advantage to this is that a woman sees exactly what she’s getting. I think of it as the rugged, non-bothered, I’ll-dress-up-when-we-have-more-of-a-commitment look. But there’s a hazard in this approach. It’s often perceived as the “broke” look. The Shark Bar can be intimidating on this front, so if you are hard on the make you might want to spruce up.

3. Have your talk ready.

This area is where you can make up for breaking the other two rules. If stupid things tend to fall out of your mouth, you’ll find yourself bobbing in the water alone. To catch the hip, sultry-voiced, woman of your dreams (as well as any other), be clear about what you want and advertise that truth. While it’s your prerogative to pretend you’re one thing in order to get something else, it makes for rough seas later. If you are ignored, battered or bruised by the young sapphire you desire, remember half of this game is confidence. It’s just like swimming; you have to relax.

The Shark Bar is a staple in the Manhattan social world. It’s a great place for intimacy and good conversation on several levels beside “the Mack”. There isn’t an out of town guest or family member I wouldn’t wine and dine there. OK, maybe my friend Tony from Florida. M

September 1999

Soul Cafe
444 West 42nd Street
(Btwn 9th & 10th Aves)
NY, NY 10036
(212) 244-7685

By Ramona L. Prioleau

Since the Soul Café opened its doors in 1996, the alluring aromas of its fine cuisine and electric atmosphere have beckoned many to venture west of 8th Avenue. This chic midtown restaurant is great for pre-theater dinner, Sunday brunch or a nice repast after a long day. Soul features a spacious bar area, perfect for cocktails before dinner and toasting the close of a successful business deal. After work and on the weekends, Soul pulses with the energy of its stylish clientele who mix, mingle and dine to R&B tunes that flow steadily from Soul’s sound system.

Soul serves healthy portions of Southern/Caribbean dishes with an upscale flair. Its flavorful meals, prepared with just the right amount of spices, do not sacrifice substance for the sake of decorativeness. The roasted vegetables with a side of macaroni are a delightful combination for those seeking a filling yet healthy treat. For the carnivorous sort, Soul’s hearty serving of ribs with a side of macaroni and collard greens hit the spot.

Soul’s pleasant and knowledgeable staff handles groups large and small with a consistent level of professionalism. In fact, Soul’s staff seems to have a particular knack for catering to high-maintenance patrons with style, grace and aplomb (Trust me on this. I’m a charter member of the high-maintenance posse).

Warm lighting, large comfy chairs and walls adorned with African-American art, transform Soul’s spacious confines into a handsome yet classy den. During the summer months, sidewalk seating is also available adding a Euro vibe to the soul food experience. Since each meal is individually prepared, leave yourself adequate time to wine and dine at this snazzy midtown establishment. M

June 1999

Tenth Street Lounge
212 East 10 Street
(Btwn 1st & 2nd Aves)
NY, NY 10003
(212) 473-5252

By Gabria Fischer

Tenth Street Lounge is not a place to lounge. This establishment has no qualms charging a cover on weekend nights for little more than a chance to soak in the lack of atmosphere. In fact, the stiff ambiance is more reminiscent of a funeral home than an East Village hangout.

The high ceilings and candle-lined ledges manage to add warmth to the environment, but not to the experience. The overpriced drinks and assuming staff transform the impressive open space into a gloomy and oppressive retreat. Table service is readily available, but the pay-per-round policy makes the delivery of drinks more pressure-filled than it need be. The entrance is difficult to spot from the street. So, if you happen to miss it on your first pass, you might want to keep walking. This joint is “B” list at best. M

June 1999